SPSS

Bali, Indonesia

 

I attempt to be more positive than negative on this blog, but occasionally a negative issue needs to be dealt with, and today is a day for it! I have 180 questionnaires completed and in my possession and I am receiving some pastoral assistance in getting to my goal of 200 plus questionnaires received. With my advisor’s approval I am compiling my statistics while still collecting surveys from respondents. My University has required that I use Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, also known as SPSS software in order to compile my questionnaire results and complete my statistics. Back in 2001 when I attended my previous University and was working on a MPhil dissertation, my advisor explained I needed SPSS and so I ordered a copy through the information technology department and received a discount since I was a student. I think I paid approximately 40 pounds. This seemed fair but the software never worked and would not load on my computer properly and I ended up having to use limited Microsoft Excel software to complete the statistics for my MPhil dissertation. 

For the PhD dissertation through my current University, I am expected to use SPSS once again and so in 2004 my advisor had me order the SPSS Student Version 11.0 for Windows which I believe cost me over $150.00 Canadian. I needed a letter from my academic department to prove that I was a student in order to purchase that version of SPSS. I loaded the software on to my computer and went through the tutorial a couple of times the last few years to familiarize myself with software, however, I was not ready to analyze the statistics at that time. Monday, I began compiling results and started with the very first questionnaire, and figured out the basics that day. However, once I arrived at line 51 depth wise, as in question 51 on the questionnaire, I was informed the following by the SPSS software: Maximum number of variables exceeded. A variable is an attribute on which cases vary. Cases can be for example, people and things. Bryman (2004: 29). I was simply attempting to place my other 16 questionnaire questions on the list and the software was prohibiting this from taking place. This was of course a negative event! I did some research in my related texts and on the net and could find no answers to my problem. I called SPSS in Chicago today and was informed that they offered no support for my old 2001 version and I would have to purchase a newer version. I then asked the person if someone could at least inform me on how I could get past line 50 and she stated that the Student Version would not go past line 50 and was not made for dissertation students! I was told that I needed to buy Graduate Version 14.00 that she thought would work for me, but could not verify this as fact and I eventually found Version 15.00 on the web from a retailer. The retail company representative I talked to on the phone could not verify with me that Graduate Version 15.00 would do the required job and treated me like I was an idiot for expecting someone from their company to know which product I should purchase from them. She suggested that I call SPSS to find out which version I should purchase. 

I ordered the product for over $300 Canadian this afternoon! What a wonderful discounted rate for a full-time PhD student without a full-time job, and my order is on hold for seven days until this retailer receives confirmation from my University that I am indeed a registered student. I am very unimpressed with the service from both SPSS and this retailer. I have twice previously purchased SPSS and both times the software has not done the job. The first time it would not even load properly on my computer and the second time it would not even allow a variable past 50. I think I have been ripped off here, and now I am faced with a large bill without technical verification from either the manufacturer or the retailer that the product will actually suffice for my work. This is very poor service! Russ 

BRYMAN, ALAN (2004) Social Research Methods, Oxford, Oxford University Press.

Additional: A link concerning Madeleine McCann, the English girl missing in Portugal.

http://sverdades.blogspot.com/2007/05/suspenso-temporria.html

The eschatology of evil

The eschatology of evil

Matin, Serein, France (photo from trekearth.com)

Preface

This is work from my PhD research, prior to completion in 2010, which I published as a website article on May 11, 2007. This is revised with additions for a posting on academia.edu on December 9, 2023.

ἔσχᾰτον

An important and related term for the study of the problem of evil and theodicy is eschatology.

Derived from the Greek word eschaton (ἔσχᾰτον)  meaning last, it refers to the ultimate culmination of history where Jesus Christ returns to earth and fully establishes his rule and Kingdom. Grenz, Guretzki, and Nordling (1999: 46). 

Bible Hub: ἔσχατον

Cited from Bible Hub

'ἔσχατον (eschaton) — 7 Occurrences' (The root word, my add)

'Concordance Entries 

Strong's Greek 2078 

53 Occurrences

ἔσχατα — 4 Occ. 

ἐσχάταις — 3 Occ. 

ἐσχάτας — 1 Occ.

ἐσχάτη — 11 Occ.

ἐσχάτῳ — 2 Occ.

ἐσχάτων — 3 Occ.

ἔσχατοι — 9 Occ. 

ἔσχατον — 7 Occ. 

ἔσχατος — 7 Occ. 

ἐσχάτου — 5 Occ.

ἐσχάτους — 1 Occ.'

Bible Hub: 2078. eschatos

Cited 

'Strong's Concordance 

eschatos: last, extreme 

Original Word: ἔσχατος, η, ον

Part of Speech: Adjective 

Transliteration: eschatos 

Phonetic Spelling: (es'-khat-os) 

Definition: last, extreme

Usage: last, at the last, finally, till the end. 

HELPS Word-studies 

2078 ésxatos (from esxaton, "end, last") – properly, last, final (the furthest, extreme-end). 2078/esxatos ("future things"), the root of "eschatology" is "the study of last things." This includes future Bible prophecy, the end-times, and life after death ("the after-life").'

---

The eschatology of evil

Eschatology is the theology that seeks to fully understand the direction and purpose of history and progressing events. Grenz, Guretzki, and Nordling (1999: 46). Henry C. Thiessen writes that eschatology includes the concepts of the second coming of Christ, the resurrection, judgments, the millennium, and the final state. Thiessen (1956: 440). These are far too complex concepts to thoroughly discuss within a short, intentionally non-exhaustive, article, but these ideals would all be aspects of how the Biblical God delivers this current age that exists containing problems of evil, into an age where evil is a thing of the past. This present fallen creation, inhabited and influenced by sinful creatures would be transformed into a universe and earth empirically ruled by Christ as God. Also known as the Kingdom of God/Kingdom of Heaven

It should be noted here that the Kingdom of God will therefore not only include access to God in the heavenly non-physical realm, but also a physical creation restored to an original perfection ruled by God. The chosen elect (Ephesians 1-2, Romans 9 as keys) in Christ will be physically resurrected and not live everlastingly as spiritual beings alone, because God wants those in Christ to live forever in the restored Kingdom described in Revelation, Chapters 21-22. 

Robert H. Mounce points out that contrary to Greek dualism, God always intended for human beings to exist on a redeemed earth, not in a heavenly realm removed from physical existence. Mounce (1990: 368). This makes sense as a physical resurrected body naturally requires a physical realm to exist in, but Paul calls the resurrected body, spiritual, in 1 Corinthians 15: 44. Gordon Fee explains that the resurrection body is not immaterial but supernatural. It is a body adapted for eschatological existence under the domination of the spirit. Fee (1987: 786). Mounce notes that the concepts of new heaven and new earth in Revelation are described with varying degrees of literalness, but the new heaven and new earth provides the setting for the new and everlasting state. Mounce (1999: 369). The new heaven and new earth is not simply metaphor for a spiritual existence with God in his heavenly presence, but an actual physical place where human beings shall live and prosper with Christ. If Christians were intended to live merely a spiritual existence with God in the heavenly realm this would make the resurrection of the natural body, which becomes a spiritual body, as Paul describes it, unnecessary. If God did not intend to restore the physical universe and human body, then saved human beings, after death, could simply remain in Paradise (Luke 23: 43, 2 Corinthians 12: 4) as post-mortem disembodied spirits/souls.

BRUCE, F.F., (1963)(1996) Romans, Grand Rapids, IVP/Eerdmans.

CLINES, DAVID, J. A. (1986) 2 Corinthians, The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.

CRANFIELD, C.E.B. (1992) Romans: A Shorter Commentary, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

DUNNETT, WALTER M. (2001) Exploring the New Testament, Wheaton, Crossway Books. 

ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.

FEE, GORDON (1987) The First Epistle to the Corinthians, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

FINKBEINER, DOUGLASE (2004) Interpreting Luke 16: Abraham, Lazarus, and the Rich Man-Parable or History?, Lansdale, PA , Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary.

FOULKES, FRANCIS (1989) Ephesians, Grand Rapids, Inter-Varsity Press.

GRENZ, STANLEY J. DAVID GURETZKI and CHERITH FEE NORDLING (1999) Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms, Downers Grove, Ill., InterVarsity Press.

HARPUR, GEORGE (1986) Ephesians in The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan. 

HUGHES, PHILIP, EDGCUMBE (1990) A Commentary On The Epistle To The Hebrews, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

KENT H. A. (1996) ‘Paradise', in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books. 

MARSH, PAUL W. in Bruce, F.F. (ed.), (1986), First Corinthians, The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan. 

MOUNCE, ROBERT H. (1990) The Book of Revelation, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

MOUNCE, ROBERT H. (1995) The New American Commentary: Romans, Nashville, Broadman & Holman Publishers.

PORTER, LAURENCE.E. (1986) ‘Luke’, in F.F. Bruce (gen.ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Marshall Pickering/ Zondervan.

STRONG, J. (1986) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Pickering, Ontario, Welch Publishing Company. 

THIESSEN, HENRY C. (1956) Introductory Lectures in Systematic Theology, Grand Rapids, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

A philosophy of linking

York Minster

1. I have 166 completed questionnaires in my possession. Thanks to all respondents! My goal is obtain 200 plus surveys, although my advisor has given me permission to begin analyzing the questionnaire data. I am still collecting questionnaires and will be for several weeks and so I would really appreciate any assistance with this project. I am not sure what the analysis will include in its entirety, as I will have to receive this information from my advisor at a later date. My sample group is those that attend Christian churches, and for the context of this research, Christian is not only those that have Biblically based, conservative views like I do, but those that fall within a broad definition of cultural Christianity. My advisor has not exhaustively defined this, but I know I must include not only persons within my Reformed, conservative perspective, but also those from mainline churches. I have also sampled persons within the Orthodox Church and non-denominational churches. Alan Bryman in his text Social Research Methods explains that a sample is a segment of the population that is selected for research. It is a subset of the population. Bryman (2004: 543). My subset for this PhD research is those that attend Christian churches. I am willing to send out a copy of the survey to persons that do not attend a Christian church whatsoever, but I cannot include the data in the analysis.

2. Having not received any blogger traffic from publishing and correcting/republishing articles on both my blogs this week, I have thought much about the importance of links. My traffic is now entirely coming from links and web searches. I really appreciate all of you that link with one or both of my theology related blogs. I realize that some persons only like one of the blogs enough to link and that is understandable. As far as blogs are concerned, I may link a blog on thekingpin68 or satire and theology that links my blog in return, or at least links something important relating to my blog. I believe in mutual support.

3. I initially thought I would only link with Christian blogs where there was strong theological agreement, but have come to the conclusion that I can witness to others through linking, and need to support if possible, those who support me. I therefore may link to certain others even though there are some philosophical/theological disagreements. I realize that none of us will agree on every point! I have placed disclaimers on both my blogs in the About Me section. The disclaimer for this site reads, In regard to my links, only satire and theology necessarily demonstrates my personal views. I should make it clear that if I link with you, I greatly appreciate your help and basically think your blog is good.

The power of positive linking?

BRYMAN, ALAN (2004) Social Research Methods, Oxford, University Press.


Bad theology

The Cynical Theologian

Solva, Pembrokeshire, Wales (photo from trekearth.com)

The Cynical Theologian

I currently have 161 completed questionnaires in my possession and thank you very much to all of you through email, mail, and in person that have filled out and returned the document. I will likely be collecting questionnaires for a couple more months and so please assist me if you can.

On Sunday after church, I was having a discussion concerning the problem of evil with my pastor and a newer Christian. My pastor stated with a smile that he and I were cynical, unlike the newer Christian. I took this as a compliment. Related to the context of our discussion, The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines a cynic as a person who has little faith in human sincerity and integrity, and cynical as one being incredulous of human sincerity or integrity. Thompson (1995: 335).

Harry A. Ide describes cynics as a classical Greek philosophical school, which featured asceticism and the need for virtue in order to obtain happiness. Also emphasized were the importance of bold speech, and action without any shame. Ide (1996: 174). Ide writes that Socrates was a major influences on cynics. Ide (1996: 174). Simon Blackburn explains that the term cynics comes from the Greek kynikos meaning dog like. Blackburn (1996: 91). Blackburn speculates that the related term dog philosophers comes from Diogenes of Sinope a prominent member and founder. In the ancient world dogs were symbols of lack of shame. Blackburn (1996: 91). For those within the school, the good life consisted of avoiding shame and having mastery over desires and needs. Happiness demanded that a person lacked nothing. Blackburn (1996: 91).

For the purposes of this article, I am not claiming in any way to be associated with classical Greek cynics, but I provide that information for historical background. Back in 1999 to 2001 when I lived in Manchester, England, I split my time between a non-denominational charismatic church where many of my friends attended, and an Anglican church where another friend attended. Both churches, in my view, were Biblically based, gospel orientated churches where Christian love was shown. One night on a Sunday evening service a pastor on stage at the charismatic church looked over at me, perhaps unintentionally and perhaps not, and stated that we should not be cynical as Christians, and I believe the pastor was commenting in regard to God and the miraculous. I had previously discussed this issue with another pastor on staff. I was not and am not a cessationist. I do not reject the idea of God issuing the gifts of the Holy Spirit today. Erickson (1994: 878). My issue is that at a certain point in a service, the pastor assumes that the congregation shall likely hear from the Lord and miraculously someone has a prophetic word. Am I being cynical because I do not think that the sovereign God, in a fallen creation, in light of the problem of evil, will always perform a miraculous sign when a congregation thinks it is time? I do not doubt the sincerity of many persons involved in the charismatic church, and I do not doubt the integrity and consistency of belief of many persons involved. Perhaps in the case of my former church, I am actually sceptical of their claims as opposed to cynical concerning them. The Oxford Dictionary defines sceptical as one inclined to question the truth or soundness of accepted ideas, and facts. Thompson (1995: 1234). This definition appears to fit my approach better.

I firmly believe that only the infinite God can completely and properly judge finite persons, however, in regard to certain televangelists and some others within the cultural Christian community, my opinion of them and their works may move beyond scepticism and into cynicism. Those within the Church who are basically theologically astute will be aware that many persons distort the faith and do not follow the Bible correctly at many points and do not have a proper Biblical theology at many points. I am not stating that any person or organization has perfect theology, but excellent theology by God’s guidance through his Holy Spirit and his Scripture should be the goal. Jesus Christ warned in Matthew 24:24 that many false Christ’s and false prophets would arise. Has this not happened? Is it not happening this very moment? The Apostle Paul spoke against false teaching in Galatians 1:6-9 and mentioned the concept of contrary gospel. The Apostle John in 1 John 2:2:19 mentions persons that were in the church but not really of the church. John goes on to state in verses 22-23 that those who deny that Jesus is the Christ at the same time deny the Father.

There is room to be sceptical of those within religion and cultural Christianity, and error can take place in both legitimate and non-legitimate Christian churches. There is also room within the fallen creation, plagued with the problem of evil, when faced with non-Biblical teaching to at least cautiously question the sincerity and integrity of some, but as Christians we must always be open minded and realize that only God can fully and properly judge religious leaders and movements in regard to motives. I am therefore not primarily a cynical theologian, but cannot deny that a cautious cynical approach is correct at times.

BLACKBURN, SIMON (1996) ‘Cynics’, in Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, p. 91. Oxford, Oxford University Press.

ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.

IDE, HARRY A. (1996) ‘Cynics’, in Robert Audi (ed.), The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.

THE CONCISE OXFORD DICTIONARY (1995) ‘Cynic’ and ‘Cynical’, Della Thompson (ed.), Oxford, Clarendon Press.

THE CONCISE OXFORD DICTIONARY (1995) ‘Sceptical’, Della Thompson (ed.), Oxford, Clarendon Press.